Queuing files to be sent to an application

ABSTRACT

A method and associated system that enable files in a file directory to be queued or marked prior to sending the files to a common application. A first selectable function is provided to queue a selected file within a first queue, wherein only selected files are queued, and wherein files from different folders may be queued. A selection of an application with which to open the queued and selected files is received. A second selectable function is provided to automatically open all of the queued and/or selected files with the application, wherein files across different folders can be opened with a single operation of the second function.

This application is a continuation application claiming priority to Ser.No. 11/034,549, filed Jan. 13, 2005.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to computer systems, and inparticular to processing files of a computer system. Still moreparticularly, the present invention relates to a method and system forselecting files to be sent to an application on a computer system.

2. Description of the Related Art

The ability to open files from within file directories is a functionprovided within most conventional operating systems (OS). MicrosoftWindows® operating systems (OS) (a trademark of Microsoft Corporation),for example, provides a function called “Send To” within the list ofuser-selectable functions available when one or more files is selected(highlighted) within a file directory. As is known in the art, filesthat are selected are displayed with highlighted font compared to otherfiles that are not selected. The “Send To” function/option permits theuser to import one or more pre-selected files from the file directory toan application. With Windows OS, this function requires the user tofirst select the file and then select an application to import the fileinto. Those skilled in the art are familiar with the functionality andutilization of the “Send To” function.

FIGS. 2A and 2B provide two Windows graphical user interfaces (GUIs)illustrating the selection of “Send To” function for a pre-selected filewithin the file directory. As shown, directory GUI 200 includes a filearea 206 within which a file 210 (“example”) is pre-selected by a userof directory GUI 200 (e.g., by an action such as right clicking on themouse with the cursor over the file). Directory GUI 200 also includestask list 202 and directory list 204, which may also contain files thatare individually selectable when the user opens the particulardirectory.

As indicated by FIG. 2A, Lotus Word application has been selected forimporting the “Example” file 210. Once the user completes his/herselection of Example file 210, the user then right clicks on thegraphical pointing device (e.g., mouse or some other selectionmechanism), to open up an options window 212 with a list of functionsthat may be performed on/with the Example file 210. Within the FIG. 2Aillustration, the “Send To” function has been selected by the user toapply to the previously selected file 210. This selection triggers theopening of an application list 214 which includes each of the availableapplications to which the Example file 210 may be sent.

FIG. 2B illustrates what occurs once this application is selected forExample file 210 to be sent to. The OS activates/opens the Lotus Wordapplication (if that application was not already opened on the computersystem). Then, Example file 210 is imported into Lotus Word and openedin the application GUI 220. Application GUI 220 shows Example file 210opened in Lotus Word application on the computer system and the filecontents displayed within content area 222 of Lotus Word's applicationGUI 220.

Several limitations exist with the above-described conventionalimplementation of the “Send To” function. First, with the conventionalimplementation, the “Send To” function only applies to files selectedfrom a currently-opened single directory folder. That is, there iscurrently no way for a user to select a first file from a first folderand then open another folder and select a second file without losing theselection of the first file, although both files are to be sent to thesame application. Conventional application requires the user to make twoseparate accesses to the file directory, open the specific folder,select the file within the folder and send it to the application. Thesesteps are then required to be repeated for the next file.

Second, with the conventional implementation, grouping more than onefile to send to an application with a single “Send To” operationrequires the user to hold down either the Control key (to selectindividual files, including non-sequential ones) or the Shift key (toselect a series of consecutive files) and then right click on one of thehighlighted files before choosing “Send To” from the options window. Theuser thus has to remember the correct combination of key strokes andmouse interactions to enable this selection of a set of files forimporting.

Third, with conventional implementation, there is no way for a user toopen/import all files in a single subdirectory/folder by right clickingon the particular subdirectory. With some conventional methods, a rightclick on a subdirectory followed by selection of an application from the“Send To” function has the effect of opening the application withoutimporting the files. Users are currently unable to select and open allthe files in a directory and folders and sub-directories within thedirectory by using the “Send To” function. For example, when a computersystem has directories of code that have to be viewed or edited in anapplication, the current “Send To” does not provide a quick orconvenient import mechanism for the multiple directories.

The present invention thus recognizes that it would be desirable toprovide a more efficient method for handling importing files from a filedirectory. The invention further recognizes that providing an enhancedOS that does not include the above limitations would be a welcomedimprovement. These and other benefits are provided by the inventiondescribed herein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Disclosed are a method and a computer program product that enable filesin a file directory to be queued prior to “sending” the files to acommon application. A background operating system (OS) is enhanced byincluding a set of queue functions/options for selection when a file isselected within a file directory. Among these additionalfunctions/options are “Queue It”, “Queue Edit”, and “Queue Send To.”These queue functions each represent an action item that may be selectedto carry out a specific function (or operation) on/with one or morepre-selected (i.e., marked or queued) files.

Depending on the implementation, the “Queue It” function allows the userto either (1) mark one or more files as previously selected or (2) addthe one or more file(s) to a queue created in memory. With the formerimplementation, marked files retain their highlighted view without theuser having to depress the CTRL or shift keys when selecting anotherfile. Also, the user may later return to a marked file and un-selectthat marked file by clicking on the file and selecting anun-queue/delete from queue command. This command only un-selects thefile from the list of files marked for later importing to an applicationvia the “Queue Send to” option.

In the latter implementation, the file name and address link are addedto the queue (rather than the actual file), in one embodiment. Whenthere is at least one file in the queue, the “Queue Edit” functionallows the user to view, sort, and delete files in the queue. Finally,the “Queue Send To” function triggers the import of the queued and/orselected files into the selected application. All three functions areprovided when the user right clicks on a file or folder within the filedirectory. However, in one embodiment, the “Queue Edit” function mayonly appear as an option when there is at least one file in the queue.In another embodiment, all three queue functions are always displayed inthe list of options but the “Queue Edit” function is ghosted (i.e., notavailable for selection) when there are no files queued.

When there is at least one file in the queue, “Queue Edit” is providedas a selectable option, and if selected, a window is displayed with alist of the file(s) in the queue, and the user is allowed to scrollthrough and manipulate the list (e.g., delete individual file(s) fromthe queue and/or sort the list of files). Sorting the list of files maybe completed via a separate sort window, which enables user selection ofone of multiple provided types of sorting. Once the user is finishedediting or sorting the list and exits the Queue Edit window, the user'schanges are retained/stored within the queue.

The user pre-selects a file, group of files, or folder/directory offiles and then the user has the option of queuing the files in a singlequeue that is to be sent to an application. The user queues the file(s)by selecting the “Queue It” function. This function places the name andaddress link of the file(s) in a temporary storage area or in computersystem memory. The user then has the option of opening another folderand selecting additional files to add to the queue. When additionalfiles are added to the queue and the user is ready to send theassociated files to an application, the user selects the “Queue Send To”function.

Selection of the “Queue Send To” function opens a list of availableapplications to which the selected and queued (or marked) files may besent. Once an application is selected, all of the selected files andfiles within the created file queue are opened in the application GUI ofthe selected application, and the user is able to manipulate the filesand/or the content of the files. “Queue Send To” operates similarly to“Send To” when no files have been queued or marked, i.e., only thecurrently selected files are sent to the application. However, bothselected files and queued (or marked) files are sent to the applicationwhen there are files in the queue (or marked files) prior to selectingthe “Queue Send To” function.

In one implementation, multiple queues may be created and the user isrequired to choose among the available queues to store the selectedfile(s)' name(s) and address link(s). The queues may be provided uniquenames or identifiers (IDs), and the user may select specific files to bestored within the specific queue. Thus, a first file may be stored in afirst file queue and then another file may be stored in a second filequeue before the first file queue is sent to an application. In thisembodiment also, a second queue may be temporarily maintained in thefile directory even when a user selects Queue Send To for another queue.When the user later accesses the file directory again, the second queueis still available for storage of additional files or for sending toanother application.

The above as well as additional objectives, functions, and advantages ofthe present invention will become apparent in the following detailedwritten description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention itself, as well as a preferred mode of use, furtherobjects, and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference tothe following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment whenread in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the main components of a computerwithin which the various embodiments of the present invention mayadvantageously be implemented;

FIG. 2A is a graphical user interface (GUI) illustrating the Send Tofunction within a file directory in accordance with the prior art;

FIG. 2B is an application GUI opened following the Send To selection ina file directory of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3 is a file directory GUI with a list of availablefunctions/options for a selected file that includes the queue functions,according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4A provides the file directory GUI with the “Queue It” functionselected to reveal multiple queues that may individually be selected toqueue a file in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4B illustrates the file directory GUI with the Queue Edit functionselected to provide a list of the files within the queue for usermanipulation, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates the file directory GUI with the Queue Send To optionselected to display the list of available applications, according to oneembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating the process by which a user utilizesthe various queue functions within the file directory GUI, according toone embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating the processing by the backgroundoperating system when a user selects one of the queue functions withinthe file directory according to one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENT

The present invention provides a method and a computer program productthat enable files in a file directory to be queued prior to “sending”the files to a common application. A background operating system (OS) isenhanced by including a set of queue functions/options for selectionwhen a file is selected within a file directory. Among these additionalfunctions/options are “Queue It”, “Queue Edit”, and “Queue Send To.”These queue functions each represent an action item that may be selectedto carry out a specific function (or operation) on/with one or morepre-selected (i.e., marked or queued) files.

When there is at least one file in the queue, the “Queue Edit” functionallows the user to view, sort, and delete files in the queue. Finally,the “Queue Send To” function triggers the import of the queued and/orselected files into the selected application. All three functions areprovided when the user right clicks on a file or folder within the filedirectory. However, in one embodiment, the “Queue Edit” function mayonly appear as an option when there is at least one file in the queue.In another embodiment, all three queue functions are always displayed inthe list of options but the “Queue Edit” function is ghosted (i.e., notavailable for selection) when there are no files queued.

Depending on the implementation, the “Queue It” function generallyallows the user to either (1) mark one or more files as previouslyselected or (2) add the one or more file(s) to a queue created inmemory. With the former implementation, marked files retain theirhighlighted view without the user having to depress the CTRL or shiftkeys when selecting another file. The highlight may be a different shadeor color from the normal highlighted view of a selected file. Also, theuser may later return to a marked file and un-select that marked file byclicking on the file and selecting a “remove from queue” command. Thiscommand only un-selects the file from the list of files previouslymarked for later importing to an application via the “Queue Send to”function.

In the latter implementation, the concept of queuing refers to placingthe file or parameters associated with the file in a temporary memoryconstruct referred to as a queue. The particular parameters utilized maybe one (or a combination) of the file name, some other unique fileidentification (ID), and an address/location/link for the file. Thus,the file name and/or ID and/or address/location/link are added to thequeue (rather than the actual file), in one embodiment. Theaddress/location/link may be tied to the name and/or ID and not actuallydisplayed during the “Queue Edit” function described below.

The invention contemplates that, for certain embodiments, the actualfile may be placed in the queue to enable more direct and faster openingof the file in the application, copying the file provides a redundantsolution and may lead to a bog down of memory when multiple files orfolders or files are queued at one time. For ease of description of theinvention, references to placing the file in the queue, etc. areunderstood to refer to either embodiment without limitations imposedthereon. Further, the implementation in which the files are marked isdiscussed only where necessary to distinguish that feature/operationfrom one specifically related to the queuing of the file parameters.

With reference now to the figures, and in particular to FIG. 1, there isillustrated an exemplary computer system within which the functions ofthe invention may advantageously be implemented. Computer system 100includes a central processing unit (CPU) 102 connected to memory 104 andInput/Output Channel Controller (I/OCC) 110 via a system bus 101.Connected to I/OCC 110 are several input and output devices of whichmouse 112, keyboard, 114 and monitor 116 are illustrated.

Illustrated within memory 104 are operating system (OS) 106 andapplication program 108. Operating system 106 provides most of thefunctionality required for opening a file directory GUI, which isdisplayed on monitor 116 and accessible to a user of the computer system100 by mouse 112 and keyboard 114. Other means of interacting with filedirectory GUI may be provided in alternative implementations. Further,while computer system 100 is illustrated with specific hardware andsoftware components, the invention is applicable to any type of computersystem configuration so long as the background OS includes the enhancedfile queuing options described herein. No structural or functionallimitations are implied by the specific configuration and descriptionthereof within the present specification.

For purposes of illustration, OS 106 is a Windows based operatingsystem, such as Windows XP®, which is a trademark of Microsoft Corp. Thefunctions of the invention are, however, applicable to any operatingsystem that supports the enhanced queuing/marking functionality beyondthe conventional selection of files and associated use of the Send Tofunction. Thus, for example, the invention may also be implementedwithin a Linux-based operating system.

Turning now to FIG. 3, there is illustrated an exemplary file directoryGUI enhanced with queue functions. File directory GUI 300 displays atask list 302 of file specific functions and a directory list 304 ofavailable directories on the user's computer system. Each directorywithin directory list 304 may include one or more files (orsub-directories or folders of files) that may be selected by a user forqueuing/marking and/or sending to an application. File directory GUI 300also includes an address bar 308 that shows the path of the currentdirectory opened for user selection of files therein.

Finally, file directory GUI 300 includes file space 306 that displaysthe available files within a current open directory. As shown, filespace 306 includes “Example” file 310. When the user right clicks onExample file 310, an options list 312 opens within file space 306. Asshown, in addition to the standard available options, options list 312includes three queue functions/options, namely, Queue It, Queue Edit,and Queue Send To. The specific functionality associated with each ofthe queue functions is now described.

The “Queue It” function allows the user to add one or more file(s) to aqueue. (Marking the file is one method of implementing the “Queue It”functionality of the invention and is not a separate option in thedescribed embodiment). When there is at least one file in the queue, the“Queue Edit” function allows the user to view, sort, and delete files inthe queue. Finally, the “Queue Send To” function triggers the import ofthe queued and/or selected files into the selected application. Allthree functions are provided when the user right clicks on a file orfolder within the file directory. However, in one embodiment, the “QueueEdit” function may only appear as an option when there is at least onefile in the queue. In another embodiment, all three queue functions arealways displayed in the list of options but the “Queue Edit” function isghosted (i.e., not available for selection) when there are no filesqueued.

The user pre-selects a file, group of files, and/or folder/directory offiles and then the user has the option of queuing the files in a singlequeue that is to be sent to an application. The user queues the file(s)by selecting the “Queue It” function. This function places the name andaddress/location/link of the file(s) in the computer memory (or othertemporary storage area). When the files are marked (rather than queued),only the locations of the marked files are maintained in memory forreference by the “Send To” program module. With either implementation,the user then has the option of opening another folder and selectingadditional files to add to the queue. When additional files are added tothe queue and the user is ready to send the associated files to anapplication, the user selects the “Queue Send To” function.

When there is at least one file in the queue, “Queue Edit” is providedas a selectable option, and if selected, a window is displayed with alist of the file(s) in the queue, and the user is allowed to scrollthrough and manipulate the list (e.g., delete individual file(s) fromthe queue and/or sort the list of files). When the delete option ischosen, the file is deleted from the queue. When the sort option ischosen, the available sort options are displayed within a sort window.These sort options may include “move up” and “move down” or “go to top”,for example. Once the user is finished editing or sorting the list andexits the Queue Edit window, the user's changes are retained/storedwithin the queue.

In one embodiment, a separate sort window is opened when the user rightclicks on a file within the displayed list from queue edit. Sorting thelist of files is then completed via this separate sort window, whichenables user selection of one of the multiple types of sorting provided.

In a next embodiment (in which the files are marked), the user placesthe mouse pointer on a marked file and right clicks to open a drop downlist of options, including the sort and delete options. This providesthe mechanism by which the user may choose to delete or sort the file.

Selection of the “Queue Send To” function opens a list of availableapplications to which the selected and queued (or marked) files may besent. Once an application is selected, all of the selected files andfiles within the created file queue are opened in the application GUI ofthe selected application, and the user is able to manipulate the filesand/or the content of the files. “Queue Send To” operates similarly to“Send To” when no files have been queued or marked, i.e., only thecurrently selected files are sent to the application. However, bothselected files and queued (or marked) files are sent to the applicationwhen there are files in the queue (or marked files) prior to selectingthe “Queue Send To” function.

In one implementation, multiple queues may be created and the user isrequired to choose among the available queues to store the selectedfile(s)' name(s) and address link(s). The queues may be provided uniquenames or identifiers (IDs), and the user may select specific files to bestored within the specific queue. Thus, a first file may be stored in afirst file queue and then another file may be stored in a second filequeue before the first file queue is sent to an application. In thisembodiment also, a second queue may be temporarily maintained in thefile directory even when a user selects Queue Send To for another queue.When the user later accesses the file directory again, the second queueis still available for storage of additional files or for sending toanother application.

Operation of the various queue functions is now described with referenceto the flow charts presented as FIGS. 6 and 7. FIG. 6 illustrates theuser interaction with the queue functions, while FIG. 7 illustrates theOS processing of the user selections. The process of FIGS. 6 begins atblock 602, which illustrates the user opening the file directory GUI 300to display the available files and folders for selection. Then, as shownat block 604, the user selects a file or multiple files, orfolders/directories or subdirectories of files. According to oneembodiment of the invention, selection of a user of a top-leveldirectory, places all files within that directory, including files inany sub-directories and/or folders associated with the top-leveldirectory, into the queue. This top-down association of files alsoapplies to the implementation in which the files are marked.

Following the file selection, the user right clicks on the mouse (orother selection mechanism with drivers that support similar functions asa mouse right click) to open options list 312, as provided at block 606.The user next determines at block 608 whether the selected file is to bequeued (or marked). Assuming the file is not to be queued, a nextdetermination is made at block 610 whether the file is to be opened. Ifthe file is not to be opened or queued (i.e., stored in a queue) ormarked, then the user may select another function/option from theoptions list, as indicated at block 612, and then the process ends atblock 628.

Returning to block 608, if the file is to be queued (or marked), theuser selects the “Queue It” option as shown at block 620. This selectionplaces the selected file (or file parameters) into a queue. A new queueis created if the file is the first one selected to be queued and/orthere is no existing queue. Thus, a first selectable function (“QueueIt”) is provided to place a selected file within a first queue, whereinonly selected files are queued, and wherein files from different foldersmay be queued. In the embodiment in which multiple queues may be createdconcurrently, selecting the “Queue It” option provides a list of theavailable queues for storing the selected file (or file parameters).This option requires that the various queues be created at some pointduring the queuing process. FIG. 4A illustrates file directory GUI 300with the Queue It option selected to reveal a queue window 330 withmultiple queues for user selection.

The user is able to continue placing more files in the queue and mayselect the files from any folder or the desktop. Also, in oneembodiment, the user may select an entire folder of files. That is, theuser is able to select a folder (i.e., not just a single file but thedirectory/folder holding one or more files) at a time. When the userthen right clicks on the mouse and chooses “Queue It”, each file and/oreach file in any subdirectory of the folder is individually placed inthe queue.

Following the queuing of the selected file, a determination is made atblock 622 whether the user wishes to review or edit the queued list. Ifthe user desires to edit or review the list of queued files, the userselects the “Queue Edit” option from the options list at block 624. Asdescribed above, in one embodiment, the “Queue Edit” function isprovided only when at least one file has been queued. Thus, when theuser right clicks the mouse on a queued file or the desktop, the “QueueEdit” option also shows up along with the “Queue It” function. If thereis at least one file in the queue, when the user right clicks on a file,desktop, or folder, the “Queue Edit” function also shows up in theoptions list. Selecting “Queue Edit” will then display all the files inthe queue and enable the user to scroll down to the bottom of the list.In the illustrative embodiment, several user-manipulation buttons arelocated at the bottom of the list.

As described above, however, rather than provide user-manipulationbuttons, an alternative embodiment provides the delete and sort optionsby the user selecting one of the files within the list and rightclicking on the mouse. This opens a window with the delete and sortoptions available for the selected file.

As illustrated by FIG. 4B, selection of the Queue Edit option opens adrop-down list 440 within which the files have been queue and listed.Also provided within drop-down list 440, are selectable edit options,including delete button 442, sort button or 444, and accept button 446.These buttons enable user manipulation of the list. In one embodiment,when “Sort” button is depressed, a pop-up list of sort types is providedand the user may choose from among the various sorts. Other manipulationof files in a queue may be provided in other embodiments, and theinvention is not limited to “Delete” or “Sort.” Using these buttons, theuser is able to sort, delete, or edit the list of queued files, as shownat block 626.

Turning now to decision block 610, if the selected file is to be opened(i.e., the user wants to send the current file(s) and all of thepreviously queued filed to an application), the user right clicks on thedesktop (within the file space), and selects “Queue Send To”, as shownat block 614. An application list is provided, and the user selects anapplication from the list to import and open the selected and/or markedor queued files, as shown at block 616 which may be performed followinga selective queuing of the files. The queued files are then openedwithin the selected application, and the user is able to interact withthe files (or contents of the files) via the application, as shown atblock 618. Thus, a second selectable function (“Queue Send To”) isprovided to automatically open all of the queued and/or selected fileswith the application, wherein files across different folders can beopened with a single operation of the second function.

When multiple files are pre-selected and/or marked or queued andimported into the same application via the “Queue Send To” function, onefile is placed on top of the application GUI. The other files arehidden, minimized, or tiled behind the current window. These other filesmay be brought to the top of the display area by selecting the WindowMenu Item within the main file control options at top of the applicationGUI, as done with certain OSes or applications. The process then ends atblock 628.

FIG. 5 illustrates the selection of the “Queue Send To” function. Asshown, this selection opens up drop down applications list 525, listingavailable applications for selection. In the illustrative embodiment,the Lotus Word application is selected. As with the conventional Send Tooption, this selection opens up the Lotus Word application with thedisplay of selected files. However, unlike the conventionalimplementation, the display of files may comprise files that were queuedfrom more than one directory or folder with the “Queue It” function. Thesingle “Queue Send To” function sends all the files in the queue (andselected or marked) to the selected application. Thus, the functionenables files from different folders or directories to be imported intothe selected application during a single user access within the filedirectory GUI.

The OS-side operation illustrated by FIG. 7 begins at block 702 at whichthe user first selects one or more files (or folders) and then clicks onthe “Queue It” option. A determination is made at block 704 whether asingle file has been selected for queuing. When only a single file orfiles within a single directory folder have been selected for queuing,the queue is updated with the selected files as indicated at block 706.However, when the selection is of an entire closed folder (i.e., notjust files displayed within the opened folder/directory), the individualfiles are retrieved from the closed folder and sub-folders therein (viaa background process not visible to the user) and sent to the queue, asshown at block 708. A determination is made at block 710, whether the“Queue Edit” function has been selected. If not, a next determination ismade at block 711, whether the “Queue Send To” function has beenselected. If the “Queue Edit” function is selected, the list of fileswithin the queue is displayed to the user for user manipulation/editingof the list, as provided at block 712.

Returning to block 711, when the “Queue Send To” function is selected, adrop-down applications list is provided to the user at block 714. Theuser-selected application is then activated, if already opened, oropened, if not already opened, and the files within the queue areimported and opened within the application, as shown at block 716. Theprocess then ends at block 718.

Specific coding is required to enable the operating system to supportthe above-described functionality provided by the queue functions. Theinvention contemplates providing this coding as a separate file queuingor marking utility. This file queuing utility may be made available tousers of existing operating systems. The file queuing utility may beprovided as an update (or patch) to the operating system. Additionally,the file queuing utility may be packaged separately from the operatingsystem and sold or distributed as a separate, licensed, add-oncomponent.

As a final matter, it is important that while an illustrative embodimentof the present invention has been, and will continue to be, described inthe context of a fully functional computer system with installedmanagement software, those skilled in the art will appreciate that thesoftware aspects of an illustrative embodiment of the present inventionare capable of being distributed as a program product in a variety offorms, and that an illustrative embodiment of the present inventionapplies equally regardless of the particular type of signal bearingmedia used to actually carry out the distribution. Examples of signalbearing media include recordable type media such as floppy disks, harddisk drives, CD ROMs, and transmission type media such as digital andanalogue communication links.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described withreference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by thoseskilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be madetherein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.For example, while the invention describes user manipulation andinteraction by right clicking on a pointing device, certain functionsmay be provided/implemented via control keys (on a keyboard). Thus, auser may utilized a set of pre-established control keys to selectfiles/subdirectories within a first directory and then open a seconddirectory from which additional files/subdirectories are selected usingthe control keys. The files and/or subdirectories of both first andsecond directories selected with the control keys may then be openedwith (i.e., sent to) the same application.

1. A method, said method comprising: providing, by a processor of acomputer system, a first selectable function to queue a selected filewithin a first queue, wherein only selected files are queued, andwherein files from different folders may be queued; said processorreceiving a selection of an application with which to open the queuedand selected files; and said processor providing a second selectablefunction to automatically open all of the queued and/or selected fileswith the application, wherein files across different folders can beopened with a single operation of the second function.
 2. The method ofclaim 1, said method further comprising: said processor receiving aselection of a first file of said files and subsequently receiving aselection of a second file of said files; responsive to said receivingthe selection of the first file, said processor placing the first filewithin the first queue; and responsive to said receiving the selectionof a second file, said processor automatically sending the second fileand the first file to the application after which the application isenabled to concurrently import and open both the first file placedwithin the first queue and the second file.
 3. The method of claim 2,wherein said receiving the selection of a second file comprises: openinga folder within a file directory having a folder address location thatis different from a first location from which the first file isselected; and receiving the selection of the second file from thefolder, while the first file is in the first queue, wherein multiplefiles from multiple different folder locations within the file directorymay be (a) added to the first queue and (b) concurrently opened via asingle activation of the second function while the files are eitherqueued within the first queue or currently selected.
 4. The method ofclaim 1, said method further comprising: said processor enabling usermanipulation of the first queue when a third function is activated, saiduser manipulation including sorting files within the first queue and/ordeleting files from the first queue.
 5. The method of claim 1, whereinthe first function includes logic for: retrieving from a file directoryone or more identifying parameters of the selected files from among afilename, file identification (ID), and file location within the filedirectory; and storing the identifying parameters within a queue.
 6. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the first function includes logic for:marking the selected files placed within the first queue as previouslyselected; marking subsequently selected files as (a) currently selectedwhen initially selected and as (b) previously selected followingapplication of the first function to the subsequently selected files,wherein a mark displayed to identify a previously-selected file isdistinguishable from that of a currently selected file.
 7. The method ofclaim 1, said method further comprising: responsive to receipt of arequest to create a next queue following selection of a requested file,said processor creating a second queue within which the requested fileis stored; said processor prompting for a selection from among the firstqueue and the second queue when another file is subsequently selectedfor queuing; and said processor prompting for a next selection fromamong the first queue and the second queue when activation of the secondfunction is detected, wherein only the files from the selected queue issent to the selected application; and said processor storing the queuenot selected for later forwarding to an application that is selectedwhen the second function is later activated.
 8. A computer programproduct comprising a computer readable hardware storage device havingcomputer readable program code stored therein, said program code, uponbeing executed by a processor of a computer system, implements a method,said method comprising: said processor providing a first selectablefunction to queue a selected file within a first queue, wherein onlyselected files are queued, and wherein files from different folders maybe queued; said processor receiving a selection of an application withwhich to open the queued and selected files; and said processorproviding a second selectable function to automatically open all of thequeued and/or selected files with the application, wherein files acrossdifferent folders can be opened with a single operation of the secondfunction.
 9. The computer program product of claim 8, said methodfurther comprising: said processor receiving a selection of a first fileof said files and subsequently receiving a selection of a second file ofsaid files; responsive to said receiving the selection of the firstfile, said processor placing the first file within the first queue; andresponsive to said receiving the selection of a second file, saidprocessor automatically sending the second file and the first file tothe application after which the application is enabled to concurrentlyimport and open both the first file placed within the first queue andthe second file.
 10. The computer program product of claim 9, whereinsaid receiving the selection of a second file comprises: opening afolder within a file directory having a folder address location that isdifferent from a first location from which the first file is selected;and receiving the selection of the second file from the folder, whilethe first file is in the first queue, wherein multiple files frommultiple different folder locations within the file directory may be (a)added to the first queue and (b) concurrently opened via a singleactivation of the second function while the files are either queuedwithin the first queue or currently selected.
 11. The computer programproduct of claim 8, said method further comprising: said processorenabling user manipulation of the first queue when a third function isactivated, said user manipulation including sorting files within thefirst queue and/or deleting files from the first queue.
 12. The computerprogram product of claim 8, wherein the first function includes logicfor: retrieving from a file directory one or more identifying parametersof the selected files from among a filename, file identification (ID),and file location within the file directory; and storing the identifyingparameters within a queue.
 13. The computer program product of claim 8,wherein the first function includes logic for: marking the selectedfiles placed within the first queue as previously selected; markingsubsequently selected files as (a) currently selected when initiallyselected and as (b) previously selected following application of thefirst function to the subsequently selected files, wherein a markdisplayed to identify a previously-selected file is distinguishable fromthat of a currently selected file.
 14. The computer program product ofclaim 8, said method further comprising: responsive to receipt of arequest to create a next queue following selection of a requested file,said processor creating a second queue within which the requested fileis stored; said processor prompting for a selection from among the firstqueue and the second queue when another file is subsequently selectedfor queuing; and said processor prompting for a next selection fromamong the first queue and the second queue when activation of the secondfunction is detected, wherein only the files from the selected queue issent to the selected application; and said processor storing the queuenot selected for later forwarding to an application that is selectedwhen the second function is later activated.
 15. A computer systemcomprising a processor and a the memory coupled to the processor, saidmemory containing program code, which, upon being executed by theprocessor, implements a method, said method comprising: said processorproviding a first selectable function to queue a selected file within afirst queue, wherein only selected files are queued, and wherein filesfrom different folders may be queued; said processor receiving aselection of an application with which to open the queued and selectedfiles; and said processor providing a second selectable function toautomatically open all of the queued and/or selected files with theapplication, wherein files across different folders can be opened with asingle operation of the second function.
 16. The computer system ofclaim 15, said method further comprising: said processor receiving aselection of a first file of said files and subsequently receiving aselection of a second file of said files; responsive to said receivingthe selection of the first file, said processor placing the first filewithin the first queue; and responsive to said receiving the selectionof a second file, said processor automatically sending the second fileand the first file to the application after which the application isenabled to concurrently import and open both the first file placedwithin the first queue and the second file.
 17. The computer system ofclaim 16, wherein said receiving the selection of a second filecomprises: opening a folder within a file directory having a folderaddress location that is different from a first location from which thefirst file is selected; and receiving the selection of the second filefrom the folder, while the first file is in the first queue, whereinmultiple files from multiple different folder locations within the filedirectory may be (a) added to the first queue and (b) concurrentlyopened via a single activation of the second function while the filesare either queued within the first queue or currently selected.
 18. Thecomputer system of claim 15, said method further comprising: saidprocessor enabling user manipulation of the first queue when a thirdfunction is activated, said user manipulation including sorting fileswithin the first queue and/or deleting files from the first queue. 19.The computer system of claim 15, wherein the first function includeslogic for: retrieving from a file directory one or more identifyingparameters of the selected files from among a filename, fileidentification (ID), and file location within the file directory; andstoring the identifying parameters within a queue.
 20. The computersystem of claim 15, wherein the first function includes logic for:marking the selected files placed within the first queue as previouslyselected; marking subsequently selected files as (a) currently selectedwhen initially selected and as (b) previously selected followingapplication of the first function to the subsequently selected files,wherein a mark displayed to identify a previously-selected file isdistinguishable from that of a currently selected file.
 21. In a dataprocessing system, a method comprising: selecting a first file fromwithin a file directory; when a first function is activated while thefirst file is selected, associating the first file with a first queue,wherein the first function is selected for activation from a list ofavailable functions that may be selectively applied to selected fileswithin the file directory; subsequently selecting, by action of a user,a second file from within the file directory; and when a second functionis activated while the second file is selected and the first file iswithin the first queue, automatically sending said second file and saidfirst file to an application, wherein the application concurrentlyimports and opens both the first file placed within the first queue andthe second file subsequently selected for use by the data processingsystem.
 22. The method of claim 21, further comprising enabling usermanipulation of the first queue when a third function from among thelist of available functions is activated, said user manipulationincluding one or more of sorting files within the first queue anddeleting files from the first queue.
 23. The method of claim 22, furthercomprising when a request is received to sort the first queue followingactivation of the third function, automatically providing a selection ofsorting methods which identify one or more sorting options for sortingfiles within the first queue.
 24. The method of claim 21, wherein: thefirst function and second function are enhancements to an operatingsystem (OS) of the data processing system and are installed within codeof the OS, post manufacture of the OS; and wherein the method comprisesdisplaying the first function and the second function as drop down menuoptions when a file directory is opened, at least one of a file and afolder containing one or more files is selected, and a list of optionsto apply to a selected file is requested.
 25. The method of claim 22,wherein: the first function is a Queue It function, which automaticallyplaces a selected file in the first queue when the Queue It function isactivated while the selected file is selected; the second function is aQueue Send To function, which automatically provides a list of one ormore applications that may open the selected file and any files withinthe first queue, wherein selection of one of the applications opens theselected file and files within the first queue within the one of theapplications; the third function is a Queue Edit function, whichautomatically opens an interface from which a user may enter a selectionto order one or more files within the first queue and cancel one or morefiles within the first queue, wherein a selection of an option to orderone or more files provides an interface with a list of one or moremethods for ordering one or more files within the first queue; and saidmethod further comprises displaying one or more of the Queue Itfunction, the Queue Send To function, and the Queue Edit function whenone of a file, a file folder, and a file directory is currently selectedand a request is received to display a list of available functions forthe selected one of the file, the file folder, and the file directory.26. The method of claim 21, wherein said selecting said second filefurther comprises: opening a second folder within the file directoryhaving a folder address location that is different from a first locationfrom which the first file is selected; selecting the second file fromthe second folder, while the first file is in the first queue; andwherein (a) multiple files from multiple different folder locationswithin the file directory may be added to the first queue and (b)multiple different files from multiple different folder locations may beconcurrently opened via a single activation of the second function whilefiles are either queued within the first queue or currently selected.27. The method of claim 21, further comprising: highlighting an entirefolder of files within the file directory; and applying the firstfunction to the highlighted folder, wherein the first functionindividually queues each file within the folder and sub-folders of thehighlighted folder.
 28. The method of claim 21, further comprising:highlighting an entire folder of files; and activating the secondfunction while the entire folder is highlighted, wherein the secondfunction individually imports each file within the highlighted folderand sub-folders of the folder into the application.
 29. The method ofclaim 21, further comprising: responsive to receipt of a request tocreate a next queue following selection of a third file, creating asecond queue within which the third file is stored; prompting for aselection from among the first queue and the second queue when a fourthfile is subsequently selected for queuing; prompting for a nextselection from among the first queue and the second queue whenactivation of the second function is detected, wherein only files from aselected one of the first queue and the second queue are sent to theapplication; and storing an unselected one of the first queue the secondqueue for later forwarding to an application that is selected when thesecond function is later activated.
 30. A method, comprising: generatingin a data processing system a first function that queues identifyingdata of selected files from a file directory within a queue when thefirst function is activated while the selected files are selected foraccess by a user; generating a second function that imports to and openswithin a single application all files within the queue when the secondfunction is activated; generating a third function that provides optionsfor manipulation of files that have been queued by the first function;and when the second function is activated while files are within thequeue, importing the files within the queue into the single application,wherein files of a first folder that have been queued by the firstfunction and files of a second folder that are selected are importedconcurrently, and wherein each file placed within the queue and eachcurrently selected file are imported into a single-user selectedapplication via a single activation of the second function.
 31. Themethod of claim 30, further comprising: providing said first function,second function, and third function within a file queuing utility thatmay be embedded within code of an OS that enables selection of fileswithin a file directory; wherein the first, second and third functionsrespectively include: a “Queue It” function that provides first queuingof a first selected file from a first open folder, then one or moresubsequent queuing of other selected files from one of the first openfolder or another folder available within the file directory; a “QueueSend To” function that sends previously queued files along withcurrently selected files to and imported by a selected application,wherein the “Queue Send To” function sends, as individual files, filesfrom a closed folder that was placed within the queue, such that theselected application imports individual files from the file directoryregardless of folder locations of the individual files; and a Queue Editfunction that activates to provide a user with options for manipulatingfiles stored within the queue, said manipulating including deletion andsorting of files within the queue; and the method further comprisesdisplaying one or more of the Queue It function, the Queue Send Tofunction, and the Queue Edit function when one of a file, a file folder,and a file directory is currently selected and a request is received todisplay a list of available functions for the selected one of the file,the file folder, and the file directory.
 32. The method of claim 30,wherein said first function that queues identifying data of selectedfiles from a file directory, includes program logic to: retrieve fromthe file directory one or more identifying parameters of the selectedfiles from among a filename, file identification (ID), and file location(or address) within the file directory; and storing said identifyingparameters within a memory construct, wherein said memory construct is aqueue.
 33. The method of claim 30, wherein said first function includeslogic for: marking the selected files placed within the queue aspreviously selected; marking subsequently selected files as (a)currently selected when initially selected and as (b) previouslyselected following application of the first function to the subsequentlyselected files; and wherein a mark displayed to identify apreviously-selected file is distinguishable from that of a currentlyselected file.